WEBVTT WITH THE DISAPPOINTED TOURISTS. >> WE PAID THE ENTRY FEE, JOIN -- DROVE IN AND SAW A BUNCH OF SMOKE. KATHY: THEY CAPTURED THIS SCENE THIS MORNING. THEIR HIGH EXPECTATIONS FELL FLAT AFTER TRAVELING MORE THAN 7800 MILES FROM THAILAND. >> WILL BE LEAVING FOR SAN FRANCISCO TOMORROW LET’S HOPE THE FIRE DOESN’T OBSTRUCT OUR WAY OUT. KATHY: THEY WILL LIKELY BE JOINED BY OTHER VISITORS CUTTING TRIPS SHORT. AFTER THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE ANNOUNCED THEY WILL CLOSE YOSEMITE VALLEY TOMORROW BECAUSE OF THE FIRE. >> IT HAS BEEN PRETTY DEAD. IT IS BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE SMOKE. NO ONE WANTS TO COME UP. KATHY: THE COMMUNITY THAT IS THE NORTHERN GATEWAY TO YOSEMITE, RESTAURANTS AND I’LL TELLS -- HOTELS ARE STAYING BUSY WITH CALLS. NOT CROWDS. >> WE ARE DEALING WITH THE CONSTELLATIONS AND TRY TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CUSTOMERS THE BEST WE CAN. KATHY: WE ARE TOLD THAT DURING TOURIST SEASON, THIS AREA WOULD BE BUSTLING WITH PEOPLE AND CARS. IT IS PRETTY QUIET RIGHT NOW. HE TRAVELED FROM CHINA AND SNAPPED A FEW PHOTOS BEFORE HEADING OUT OF THE PAR >> I WAS HOPING FOR A GREAT VIEW. IT IS QUITE DISAPPOINTING. KATHY: THE GENERAL MANAGER IS REMINDING GUESTS THEY HAVE OPTIONS TO SALVAGE THEIR DREAM VACATION. >> TO SEE THE STUNNING VISTAS, THAT YOSEMITE IS KNOWN FOR, YOU CAN SEE THEM AT THE MEADOWS

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Yosemite Valley to close due to growing wildfire

1 killed, 6 hurt battling 36,000-acre Ferguson Fire

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Updated: 11:18 PM PDT Jul 24, 2018

A section of Yosemite Valley will be closed for several days as crews try to stop a stubborn and growing wildfire from spreading into Yosemite National Park.The Valley and Wawona closure will begin at noon Wednesday and will include all hotels, campgrounds and visitor services in those areas, officials said. Visitors in those areas are asked to leave by that time.With the ongoing closure of Highway 140, park visitors can exit the park via Highways 120 and 41.Park Superintendent Michael Reynolds told a community meeting that a 20-mile stretch of State Route 41 will close beginning Wednesday at noon. The closure is expected to last through Sunday, the Fresno Bee reported.Over nearly two weeks, flames from the Ferguson Fire have churned through more than 57 square miles -- or 36,587 acres -- of timber in steep terrain of the Sierra Nevada just west of the park. The fire was just 25 percent contained Tuesday morning.One firefighter was killed battling the blaze and six others were hurt, officials said.++Cal Fire pays tribute to bulldozer operator killed fighting Ferguson FireHighway 120 west and east and the Tuolumne Meadows area remain open.Mandatory evacuations are in place in several communities while others have been told to get ready to leave if necessary.Mandatory Evacuations: El Portal Trailer CourtIncline Rd from Clearing House to the last BLM campgroundJerseydale/ Mariposa PinesCedar Lodge/ Indian Flat CampgroundSavage’s Trading PostSweetwater Ridge El Portal Trailer CourtRancheria Flat - Government HousingOld El Portal Yosemite View LodgeForestaYosemite WestOld Yosemite RoadEvacuation Advisory: Lushmeadows Community Ponderosa Basin Community Triangle Rd from Jerseydale Rd to Hwy 49 South including all side roads. Darrah Rd from Triangle to Sherrod Rd East side of Hwy 49S from Darrah Rd to Harris Rd -- This includes Boyer Rd, Woodland Area, Wass Rd, Tip Top Rd For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions at Yosemite National Park, visitors are asked to call 209-372-0200. Press 1 and press 1 again, or visit the park's website here.

YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. (AP) —

A section of Yosemite Valley will be closed for several days as crews try to stop a stubborn and growing wildfire from spreading into Yosemite National Park.

The Valley and Wawona closure will begin at noon Wednesday and will include all hotels, campgrounds and visitor services in those areas, officials said. Visitors in those areas are asked to leave by that time.

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With the ongoing closure of Highway 140, park visitors can exit the park via Highways 120 and 41.

Park Superintendent Michael Reynolds told a community meeting that a 20-mile stretch of State Route 41 will close beginning Wednesday at noon. The closure is expected to last through Sunday, the Fresno Bee reported.

Over nearly two weeks, flames from the Ferguson Fire have churned through more than 57 square miles -- or 36,587 acres -- of timber in steep terrain of the Sierra Nevada just west of the park. The fire was just 25 percent contained Tuesday morning.

One firefighter was killed battling the blaze and six others were hurt, officials said.

Lushmeadows Community Ponderosa Basin Community Triangle Rd from Jerseydale Rd to Hwy 49 South including all side roads. Darrah Rd from Triangle to Sherrod Rd East side of Hwy 49S from Darrah Rd to Harris Rd -- This includes Boyer Rd, Woodland Area, Wass Rd, Tip Top Rd

For updated 24-hour road and weather conditions at Yosemite National Park, visitors are asked to call 209-372-0200. Press 1 and press 1 again, or visit the park's website here.